Allen Silver—Odd Notes



149



Personally I should think the success of the Bateleur is largely due

to rapidity of action in attack on the snake (in this being analogous

to Indian Mongoose, among mammals, versus Cobra) ; and this opinion

was supported some months after being formed by seeing two of the

living birds referred to engage in a pugnacious display when on the

floor of their cage, when both circled around each other rapidly by a

series of high hops. In addition to snakes and various reptiles, they

also feed on small mammals, carrion it is also said ; and can soar high

in the air (their wings being well developed, as shown when they stretch

them in the Gardens).



ODD NOTES


By Allen Silver


I saw on 10th August the young Black-capped Lory bred this

season by Mrs. M. Burgess, of Helston House, Clifton. It was apparently

about three months old, full-winged, and quite able to look after itself,

although I understand it retired at night with its parents to sleep in

the nest-box in which it was hatched. In size I should say it equalled

the hen. The iris was dark, the bill, which had been black, was at the

time of my visit rich horn brown, daily assuming an orange tint. It

seemed only to differ in colouring from the hen in having the under-tail

colouring greenish instead of violet blue. The colouring of its cap was

as dense as that of its parents. Although not densely feathered on the

breast, bunches of quills were fast appearing. It had already com¬

menced to imitate sounds and whistles, and was an active and

engaging bird, susceptible of being perfectly tamed.


Two birds recently caught wild in the neighbourhood of Newport

(Mon.) were brought to me by two different people within a week.

The first, a male example of Spermophila torqueola. A handsome

masked cinnamon white and black bird, a very free singer. It was in

perfect plumage and quite tractable and had, I surmise, escaped from

a “ Plate ” boat coming into Newport, Cardiff, Bristol, Avonmouth,

or Barry Docks. This species I have never seen arrive in trade con¬

signments, and have not seen it in any private collection, but believe

the London Zoo have had it once.



